Saturday News April 12

Le Mars -- City officials have announced 24th St SW will be closed for street repair until Monday afternoon between Lincoln and Industrial Road by the Rail road Crossing.

Grass Fire Causes Akron Fire Department To Respond

(Akron) -- The Akron Fire Department was called to yet another grass fire yesterday, this time located at 17771 k-18-N. The call came in near 430 in the afternoon. They arrived on the scene at 435 and were there for approximently a half an hour.

Northern Iowa Man Arrested In Connection With Child Pornography

SPENCER, Iowa (AP) - Authorities say a northern Iowa man faces dozens of sexual exploitation charges in connection to child pornography found in his possession. The Spencer Police Department says 22-year-old Daniel Ross Sutherland was arrested Friday following a 10-month investigation by several agencies. Sutherland faces 66 misdemeanor counts of sexual exploitation of a minor and a felony count of the same charge. Court records do not list an attorney. Police say Sutherland had more than five dozen child pornography videos in his possession. He is also accused of distributing child pornography. Records show Sutherland is at the Clay County Jail on a $50,000 cash-only bond.

Sibley Man Arrested For Farm Equipment Thefts

(Sibley) -- Osceola authorities have arrested a Sibley man suspected of possession of stolen property, including farm equipment, in connetion with a four-county theft ring. 52 year old Mike Block has been charged with multiple felonies for stolen property from Sioux, O'Brien, Lyon, and Osceola counties. Farm and construction equipment valued at more than $200,000 had been reported stolen over a year and a half. Block, who is a custom baler and construction worker, turned himself in to Osceola county sheriff's officials on Friday. He was transferred to the O'Brien County jail where he is being held on a $100,000 bail. Block is charged with seven counts of first degree theft, a class C felony; ten counts of second degree theft, a class D felony; one count of third degree theft, and one count of a fourth degree count of theft. Deputies served search warrants after noticing tire and shoe impressions matching those taken at a theft scene. Stolen hay bales from O'Brien County on March 21st led to the search warrants for Block's acreage on U.S. Highway 59 and his home. Investigating officers seized a New Holland baler, wagons, construction equipment, trailers, four motor vehicles, and other items. Block is a former Osceola County sheriff's deputy and resigned from the force after he admitted to taking $630 in cash from a burglary theft investigation. He is also the brother-in-law to Osceola County Sheriff, Doug Weber.

Arrests Made In Connection With Veishea Riot

AMES, Iowa (AP) - Ames police say they have arrested more people in connection to a crowd disturbance at Iowa State University that injured one student. Police said in a news release Friday that four people have been arrested since the incident that began late Tuesday and ended Wednesday morning. A fifth person turned themselves into police. Records show the five men are students at Iowa State, including defensive lineman David Irving. He has been suspended indefinitely from the team. The men face various charges, including trespass and criminal mischief. Police Cmdr. Geoff Huff says he expects additional arrests and charges in the case. The crowd formed during the week of a multi-day celebration on campus known as Veishea. It was later suspended for the rest of the week.

Many Support ISU President Decision To Cancel Veishea

(Ames) -- Iowa State University, President Steven Leath says he has received a lot of support for his decision to cancel the Veishea celebration this week in the wake of violence early Wednesday morning. Leath, says he has received feedback from students and communitymembers.

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Leath plans to assemble a task force to decide if the 92 year old celebration will be shut down permanently. Leath says although Veishea has a history of problems, a surge of social media fueled the latest riot.

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One person was seriously injured in the rioting when a light pole was torn down and fell on him. Leath made his comments on Iowa Public Radio’s "River to River" program. Ames police issued a list of five people who were charged or cited in connection with the rioting. One of those is an Iowa State football player. Twenty-year-old David Irving was charged with second-degree criminal mischief, a felony, fifth-degree theft and disorderly conduct, which are both misdemeanors.

New Law Helps Children With Dyslexia

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) - For the first time, dyslexia has been officially defined in state law in an attempt to improve literacy among young students across Iowa. Gov. Terry Branstad signed a bill into law Wednesday that effectively establishes a definition for the reading disability in Iowa code and offers professional support for teachers so they can better develop student literacy. The law defines dyslexia as "a specific and significant impairment in the development of reading." It also seeks to better equip teachers with the skills and strategies to improve student literacy and screen for problems. Supporters of the new law say it's a positive step forward in addressing dyslexia, but lawmakers may need to revisit the issue as parents and educators implement programs and determine how best to help children.

Medical Marijuana Bill Re-introduced In State Senate

(Des Moines) -- The legalization of medical marijuana may again be brought up before the State Senate. Originally, the bill was introduced by Iowa City Democrat Joe Boekomp, but it failed to gather enough support to be passed through committee. However, Senate majority leader Mike Gronstal of Council Bluffs has re-introduced the bill as a leadership measure after visiting with a family that has children with epilepsy. Republican State Senator Bill Anderson of Pierson says he is sympathetic to the family's concerns, but isn't certain he would support the bill.

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Anderson says the new proposed bill is greatly different than the original bill calling for the legalization of medical marijuana. He says the senate republicans are asking the leadership to allow the bill to go through the same process as other bills.

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Ryan Calls For Inter-Party Fighting To Stop

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) - Republican Congressman Paul Ryan has a lot of work to do in Iowa to sell his just-passed budget plan, should the 2012 GOP vice presidential nominee seek the 2016 presidential nomination. The Wisconsin representative and chairman of the House Budget Committee planned to make a pitch Friday night at the annual spring fundraising dinner for the Iowa Republican Party in Cedar Rapids. His measure passed Thursday by the House promises a balanced federal ledger by 2024 through sweeping cuts to social spending. Many GOP officials in the leadoff caucus state, including Governor Terry Branstad, praise Ryan's effort but say it's far from perfect. And some have opposed the plan outright for its 10-year timeframe. The annual Lincoln Day dinner often draws headliners who are considering a run for president.